Okay, let’s be real. It has not been a good week for Disney’s Skyliner. Why? Because, in my opinion, one small incident got blown out of proportion. So, in saying that, here’s why I still love it.
The Skyliner opened last Saturday, and I rode it the following Thursday. My straightforward and honest impressions are that I love it. It’s a perfect blend of nostalgia, technological advancements, and functionality.
I’ll be honest, I was a skeptic at first but also eagerly anticipated this project. I wanted, more than anything, to get that birds eye view of a place that I loved and to see things from, quite literally, a whole new perspective. I have to say, it met every single one of those expectations. As a kid growing up soon after the Skyway disappeared from Magic Kingdom, I had always been fascinated by the concept of seeing WDW from above. I guess a small portion of that fascination does lead my review to a certain degree of bias. Nonetheless, it is the truth. I can’t control that feeling and almost base level attatchment to this transportation system that was there before it even debuted to the public.
Much like many tend to describe Disney in general, this truly is a multi sensory experience. The sites, the sounds, and even the smells tends to surround you in unique ways. As your car leaves the station you’re immediately greeted with a subtle “floating” sensation that is briefly unsettling but then moments later rather soothing after a long day in the parks. The subtle whooshing of flowing air surrounds you and for a brief few moments you are soaring high above Disney property. You can’t help but scan the edges of your vision taking it all in. It’s truly like nothing you’ve ever seen before and an experience that compares to no other sensation.
My mother even briefly commented that it feels like you’re on a Magic Carpet ride to your destination. That is a near perfect description of this pretty obscure concept.
I know many people are concerned about the heat. If you’re moving, the heat isn’t a problem in the slightest. Once you enter the stations and slow down significantly and lose that cross breeze air flow, things get significantly warmer. I know everyone tends to respond differently to changes in temperature, but this one is a little odd to wrap your mind around until you experience it for yourself.
Another concern many have is getting stuck in the gondolas up in the air. To that, I’ll make one comment and I’ll frame it up in a way that I hope doesn’t offend anyone but rather offers a certain level of perspective on the issue at hand. The question I’ll ask you to consider is, “When was the last time you got in your car and drove anywhere without seeing at least one car accident, fender bender, or even just drove past one on your way to your destination?” This, in many ways, is no different. Simple issues are inevitable.
There’s an inherent danger in any transportation. It’s part of life and something that we all deal with and make choices based upon every single day. It’s not my job to decide what someone else considers to be safe or not but I do ask that we all ask ourselves if missing out on this incredible, one of a kind experience, is worth passing on just because of one incident where nobody even got hurt?
I know I tend to have an optimistic outlook on life but each day offers us challenges and dangers, but the way I see it we can either run our whole lives or embrace those dangers and enjoy the moments that could take our breath away and create a truly spectacular memory for us and our families.
On an entirely other note, how else are you going to get from Hollywood Studios to Epcot in near 12 minutes! The Skyliner really is legendary from a functionality perspective in regard to time savings during your trip.
So, as you can tell by the title, I love the Skyliner. It’s perfect in my opinion and does exactly what it was designed to do. In regards to the question floating around social media of “Would you ride it again after the weird series of unfortunate events?” I 100% would ride it again with no hesitations. Give it a chance before you completely write it off.
Your Thoughts
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